A judge on Friday agreed to release a 78-year-old Sun City man who was arrested in the death of his wife in August.

Howard Allen Rudolph, who uses a wheelchair, was released to the custody of friends and will be under electronic monitoring by law enforcement while awaiting trial in April on a count of second-degree murder.

Concerns had been raised that Rudolph’s poor health or out-of-state friends would keep him from making court appearances, but Superior Court Judge William Brotherton told attorneys that those concerns were unfounded because hewould have Rudolph located and arrested if he failed to appear for a hearing.

Rudolph told police his wife, Earlene, was terminally ill and that he shot and killed her out of mercy. Officers said that when they entered the home and inquired about his wife, he pointed them to the bathroom where her body was found.

According to police records, Rudolph told police that he “had to do it” and that he felt terrible for his wife’s death.

Police officers said they found a .38-caliber revolver and multiple bullet casings when they searched the home.

Officers also found a note written by Rudolph saying that he loved his wife but he couldn’t stand her any longer, police said. Rudolph also told police that he had written a note to his lawyer with instructions about his wishes to cremate “the bodies” and his requests for care of his estate. He also requested that his dogs be left in the care of friends instead of the animal shelter, police said.

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